BOLD Moves by Steph White & Lexie Hull Lead to Lex’s End of Q3 DAGGER that Helps Seal Win vs. Dream

Indiana Fever head coach Steph White showed her veteran touch in Thursday night’s pivotal matchup against the Atlanta Dream, rolling out an unexpected rotation that changed the game’s tempo. With starters battling foul trouble and the Dream threatening to mount a comeback, White inserted Lexie Hull and a small-ball lineup late in the third quarter — a gamble that paid off spectacularly.

Hull, known more for her perimeter defense and hustle plays than high-volume scoring, immediately injected energy on both ends of the floor. She chased down loose balls, disrupted passing lanes and gave Indiana extra possessions. Then, with the clock winding down in the third, Hull found herself open on the right wing after a kick-out from Caitlin Clark. Without hesitation, she rose up and buried a deep three-pointer at the buzzer — a dagger that sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a deafening roar and pushed the Fever’s lead back to double digits.

“Coach trusted me, my teammates trusted me, and I let it fly,” Hull said after the game, smiling. “That shot felt great, but the stops on the other end are what made it possible.”

White’s bold move to go with Hull and a smaller, quicker lineup completely disrupted Atlanta’s rhythm. The Dream, who had been clawing back behind Rhyne Howard’s scoring, were suddenly forced into bad matchups and rushed possessions. Indiana capitalized by pushing the pace and attacking the rim, stretching the lead even further in the fourth quarter.

“That was the turning point,” White explained postgame. “We needed energy, we needed spacing, and Lexie delivered. It’s not just about one shot — it’s about her defense, her movement, and how she fit into what we wanted to do.”

The Fever went on to win 88–77, evening the series and restoring their confidence heading into the next matchup. Hull finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, while Clark posted another near triple-double. For Indiana fans, Hull’s buzzer-beating three wasn’t just a highlight; it symbolized a team embracing its depth and adaptability when it matters most.